1.5.11 Safeguarding Children at Risk of Sexual Exploitation

REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS

SCOPE OF THIS CHAPTER

The information in this chapter should be read in conjunction with the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) procedures regarding sexual exploitation of children and young people and related procedures in this manual.

1. Introduction

Child sexual exploitation is a form of child sexual abuse. It occurs where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, manipulate or deceive a child or young person under the age of 18 into sexual activity (a) in exchange for something the victim needs or wants, and/or (b) for the financial advantage or increased status of the perpetrator or facilitator. The victim may have been sexually exploited even if the sexual activity appears consensual. Child sexual exploitation does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur through the use of technology. Working Together to Safeguard Children 2015.

Child sexual exploitation takes different forms - from a seemingly ‘consensual’ relationship where sex is exchanged for attention, affection, accommodation or gifts, to serious organised crime and child trafficking. Child sexual exploitation involves differing degrees of abusive activities, including coercion, intimidation or enticement, unwanted pressure from peers to have sex, sexual bullying (including cyber bullying), and grooming for sexual activity. There is increasing concern about the role of technology in sexual abuse, including via social networking and other internet sites and mobile phones (see also Islington SCB E-Safety Protocol). The key issue in relation to child sexual exploitation is the imbalance of power within the ‘relationship’. The perpetrator always has power over the victim, increasing the dependence of the victim as the exploitative relationship develops.

Many children and young people are groomed into sexually exploitative relationships but other forms of entry exist. Some young people are engaged in informal economies that incorporate the exchange of sex for rewards such as drugs, alcohol, money or gifts. Others exchange sex for accommodation or money as a result of homelessness and experiences of poverty. Some young people have been bullied and threatened into sexual activities by peers or gangs which is then used against them as a form of extortion and to keep them compliant.

Children and young people may have already been sexually exploited before they were admitted to the home; others may become targets of perpetrators during their placement. They are often the focus of perpetrators of sexual abuse due to their vulnerability. The manager and staff in the home should therefore create an environment which educates children and young people about child sexual exploitation, involving relevant outside agencies where appropriate. They should encourage them to discuss any such concerns with their key worker or other member of staff, and also feel able to report any such concerns about their peers to staff.

2. Indicators of Possible Sexual Exploitation

Practitioners should recieve training on child sexual exploitation and therefore be aware of the key indicators of child sexual exploitation. They include:

Health

Physical symptoms (bruising suggestive of either physical or sexual assault);

Chronic fatigue;

Recurring or multiple sexually transmitted infections;

Pregnancy and/or seeking an abortion;

Evidence of drug, alcohol or other substance misuse;

Sexually risky behaviour.

Education

Truancy/disengagement with education or considerable change in performance at school.

Emotional and Behavioural Issues

Volatile behaviour exhibiting extreme array of mood swings or use of abusive language;

Involvement in petty crime such as shoplifting, stealing;

Secretive behaviour;

Entering or leaving vehicles driven by unknown adults;

Reports of being seen in places known to be used for sexual exploitation, including public toilets known for cottaging or adult venues (pubs and clubs).

Housing

Income

Acquisition of expensive clothes, mobile phones or other possessions without plausible explanation;

Accounts of social activities with no plausible explanation of the source of necessary funding.

This list is not exhaustive.

Practitioners should be aware that many children and young people who are sexually exploited do not see themselves as victims. In such situations, discussions with them about staff concerns should be handled with great sensitivity. Seeking prior advice from specialist agencies may be useful. This should not involve disclosing personal, identifiable information at this stage.

In assessing whether a child or young person is a victim of sexual exploitation, or at risk, careful consideration should be given to the issue of consent. It is important to bear in mind that:

A child under the age of 13 is not legally capable of consenting to sex (it is statutory rape) or any other type of sexual touching;

Sexual activity with a child under 16 is also an offence;

It is an offence for a person to have a sexual relationship with a 16 or 17 year old if they hold a position of trust or authority in relation to them;

Where sexual activity with a 16 or 17 year old does not result in an offence being committed, it may still result in harm, or the likelihood of harm being suffered;

Non-consensual sex is rape whatever the age of the victim; and

If the victim is incapacitated through drink or drugs, or the victim or his or her family has been subject to violence or the threat of it, they cannot be considered to have given true consent; therefore offences may have been committed;

Child sexual exploitation is therefore potentially a child protection issue for all children under the age of 18 years and not just those in a specific age group.

As well as responding to an individual child or young person who goes missing (see Section 3, Children and Young People who go Missing), practitioners should also collate and share data on missing incidents. This should be discussed with local agencies involved in the strategic response in relation to missing children, to ascertain what data is required. It may also include what action staff should take in the case of suspected sexual or physical abuse in order to protect potential evidence, which may be useful in the case of an alleged perpetrator.

3. Children and Young People who go Missing

A significant number of children and young people who are being sexually exploited may go missing from care and education, some frequently; the more often they go missing the more vulnerable they are to being sexually exploited. If a child goes missing from care, the Islington Missing from Home and Care Procedures should be followed.

Independent Return Interviews (see Islington Missing from Home and Care Procedures, Return to Home/Placement) for young runaways can help in establishing why a young person ran away and the subsequent support that may be required, as well as preventing repeat incidents. Information gathered from return interviews can be used to inform the identification, referral and assessment of any child sexual exploitation cases.

4. Referring Cases of Concern

Where a practitioner is concerned that a child or young person is involved in, or at risk of, sexual exploitation, they should refer to the Children's Services Contact Team (Tel: 020 7527 7400, Email: csctreferral@islington.gov.uk). If it is decided that action needs to be taken to protect the child, Local Safeguarding Children Board Procedures should be triggered. This will include making a referral to Children’s Social Care and the local Police.

If the child or young person is not deemed to be in need, the social worker should consider onward referral to relevant agencies.

5. Supporting Children and Young People out of Child Sexual Exploitation

Statutory agencies and voluntary sector organisations together with the child or young person, and his / her family as appropriate, should agree on the services which should be provided to them and how they will be coordinated. The types of intervention offered should be appropriate to their needs and should take full account of identified risk factors and their individual circumstances.

This may include, for example, previous abuse, missing incidents, involvement in gangs and groups and/or child trafficking. Health services provided may include Sexual Health Services and Mental Health Services. Advice should be sought from the nearest specialist service which works with children and young people involved in Child Sexual Exploitation. A referral should be made as appropriate, following consultation with the child or young person.

Because the effects of Child Sexual Exploitation can last well into adulthood, support may be required over a long period of time. In such circumstances, effective links should be made between Children and Adult Services and statutory and voluntary organisations.

6. Identifying and Prosecuting Perpetrators

The Police and Criminal Justice Agencies lead on the identification and prosecution of perpetrators. All practitioners, however, have a role in gathering, recording and sharing information with the Police and other agencies, as appropriate and in agreement with them.

Practitioners and foster carers should bear in mind that sexual exploitation often does not occur in isolation and has links to other crime types, including:

Child trafficking (into, out of and within the UK);

Domestic Violence and Abuse;

Sexual violence in intimate relationships;

Grooming (both online and offline);

Abusive images of children and their distribution (organised abuse);

Organised sexual abuse of children;

Drugs-related offences (dealing, consuming and cultivating);

Gang-related activity;

Immigration-related offences;

Domestic servitude.

7. Supporting Children and Young People through Related Legal Proceedings

Where alleged perpetrators are arrested and charged with offences against children or young people, practitioners should ensure they are supported throughout the prosecution process and beyond. Specialist agencies should be involved in supporting the child or young person, as required. This may include using special measures to protect them when giving evidence in court for example. Independent Sexual Violence Advisers or specialist voluntary sector services, if available, may also have an important role to play.